Photo courtesy of Heidi Deragisch The Marshall volleyball team practices at the Red Baron Arena and Expo on Thursday. The hockey arena will be a site for the Southwest Challenge tournament this weekend.

MARSHALL — The Molten Southwest Minnesota Challenge kicks off today in Marshall.

This is the 14th year of the tournament dating back to 2005 and the opening of the new Marshall High School building on the east side of town.

However, there will be a slightly different setting this year.

Due to a small fire near the MHS gym in late July, the Tigers haven’t been able to practice or play in their home gym. The change of venue continues with this weekend’s tournament. Replacing high school gym this year will be Red Baron Arena.

It’s been a relatively quiet and quick solution, which is in part due to the relationships in Marshall among the city, high school and university.

“The residents and the business community of Marshall have been very supportive in joining our volleyball program in this endeavor,” Marshall volleyball coach Dan Westby said. “Their financial support has been staggering. Our entire volleyball program at MHS owes them many thanks for their gracious contributions.”

There are 32 high school volleyball teams that will compete in this weekend’s tournament, coming from Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

According to Westby, the participating teams this year have combined for over 170 state tournament appearances, including eight state tournament teams and two state champions in 2018.

The 32-team field includes local teams Marshall, Minneota, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, and Yellow Medicine East, as well as Minnesota Class AAA champion Champlin Park, Eastview, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Hutchinson and Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

Action begins from both the R/A Facility and Red Baron Arena today at 5 p.m. Marshall will open the tournament on RBA Court 1 against Owatonna at 5 p.m., with a second game for the Tigers to follow at 7:30 p.m.